Okechukwu Nzelu and Fiona Williams discuss their books and writing.
We're very excited to welcome Okechukwu Nzelu and Fiona Williams to the festival.
‘Here Again Now’ is an exploration of love and its relationship with manhood and sexuality. Following Achike, his partner Ekene and his father Chibuike we watch them grapple with love, loss, and recovery in this heart-tugging and engaging read. Nzelu has stated that much of his work centres on 'Black British life, queerness, family (whether genetic or chosen) and faith'. We're very excited to see him discuss these themes in this event.
Nzelu will also be talking about his writing process with Fiona Wiliams, author of 'The House of Broken Bricks'. Okechukwu has talked about how winning with New Writing North helped his early career flourish, and Fiona's Bridport Prize progressed her writing as a career, so we can't wait to talk about their books, writing, and journey to get here!
Africa Writes Festival - Exeter 2023
Africa Writes is the UK’s leading platform celebrating the best contemporary African writing and is part of Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature programme. The events this year will include performances, book launches and workshops and are hosted in collaboration with independent bookshop Bookbag and creative hub Roots Resistance.
Cost: Free
About the speakers
Okechukwu Nzelu is a Manchester-based writer. In 2015 he was recipient of a Northern Writers' Award from New Writing North. His debut novel, The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney (Dialogue Books, 2019), won a Betty Trask Award; it was also shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize and the Polari First Book Prize, and longlisted for the Portico Prize. In 2021, it was selected for the Kingston University Big Read. His second novel, Here Again Now (Dialogue Books, 2022) was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award and longlisted for the Jhalak Prize. He is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lancaster University.
Fiona Williams is a British fiction writer. Her forthcoming debut novel The House of Broken Bricks will be published in January 2024 by Faber & Faber. She is a recipient of the prestigious Bridport Prize for literary fiction and in 2020 gained an MA with Distinction from Bath Spa University in Creative Writing. She is currently completing a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Exeter. Originally from South-East London, she now lives with her family on the Somerset Levels.
Accessibility Statement: If you have questions, suggestions or would like to discuss specific requirements, please contact Exeter Phoenix's Visitor Services Manager Anna-Ruth by calling 01392 667080 or email Anna-Ruth via the link here.
ACCESS TO THE BUILDING
There is a steep slope from the street leading to the main entrance and a flight of stairs up to the front door. More level access is possible by approaching from Exeter Central Library on Castle street. Step-free access to the building is available via a ramped entrance on the side of the building.
The side entrance is equipped with automatic doors.
All ground floor spaces are fully accessible with a mix of level flooring and gentle ramps. Spaces on the first floor are accessible via lift or the main staircases with level floor access throughout. Unfortunately, the second floor is not accessible via lift. Access from the first floor is via one flight of stairs.
Seating at events in The Workshop & Studio 1 changes depending on the event; if you have any specific requirements we will do our best to accommodate them and advise getting in contact before you attend.
If you are a wheelchair user we have removable seats or appropriate spaces available in all event spaces to accommodate this.
PARKING
There is one accessible parking space for Blue Badge Holders. To reserve this for your visit, please call the box office team on 01392 667080 who will provide you with a parking permit upon arrival.
TOILETS
Level access to accessible toilets is available on all floors. The accessible toilet next to Studio 74 does not require a radar key. A radar key is required for the accessible toilet on the ground floor next to the Workshop and the first floor accessible toilet; the key is available from the box office.
There are gender neutral toilets available in Studio 74 and on the first floor.
GUIDE DOGS
Guide / Hearing / Assistance Dogs are welcome. If you wish to take your dog into the event, please let us know when booking so that we can arrange an adjacent seat.
COMPANIONS
Patrons with disabilities may also bring a companion free of charge to all events.
SENSORY NOTES
The cafe bar plays low level recorded music during the day, with moderately bright lighting. During the evening in the cafe bar the music is louder and the lighting is lower. The cafe bar can become busy at various times which makes it louder.
The building can be busy with multiple events happening at the same time, if during your visit you feel you need a quieter space please ask and we will try to accommodate this wherever possible.
VENUE VISUAL STORY
Exeter Phoenix are currently in the process of updating their visual story to more accurately reflect the building.